Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File W. 14846, John Dow, Mass.

SERVICE
NUMBER _____
Hass.
Dow, John Hancock, Mehitable
No. 14846
(Former widow)
CONTENTS

3653
Massachusetts
Mehitabel Haverick who was widow of John Hove, decd.
who died in the February 1789 of Middlesex in the State of Mass. who was a Sergeant in the Comp y commanded by Captain Bellow of the Reg t commanded by Col d Baldwin in the Mass. line for 2 years Mass.
Inscribed on the Roll of Mass. at the rate of $20 Dollars 00 Cents per annum, to commence on the 4th day of March, 1831 ending 5th October 1837 the day of her death.
Certificate of Pension issued the 20 th day of June 1837 to Mehitabel Baldwin Boston Mass.
Arrears to the 4th of Sept 1837 $780.00
Semi-annual allowance ending Oct 7 5th 1837 the day of her death { 10.33
790.33
{ Revolutionary Claim, Act July 4, 1836, Section the 3 d }
Recorded by M. C. Baldwin Clerk. Book B Vol. 126 Page 56
Set to Pension Agent Jan y 21 st 1842

Mehitabel Hancock Widow of John Dow dec
Vol. 31. 152 — not among deserters — Secy — paid for the time of repor- ted desertion — two re- cords against the mus- ter roll
G. M. B. Adm d 2 yrs Sergh.
120. $ from 4 march '31 to 5 oct. 1837 the day of her death — to the Isaac Dow only child of Mehitabel Han- cock decd
Reuben Baldwin Boston

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex County ss.
On this First day
of June in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty-seven. Personally appeared before the Hon Samuel P. Hays Judge of the Court of Probate for the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid Mehitable Hancock a resident of Malden in Said Middlesex County aged Eighty three years. who being first duly Sworn according to Law, doth on her Oath make the following Declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July 4. 1836 and of the Act passed March 3 1837. That She is the Widow of John Hancock but formerly the Wife and likewise the Widow of John Dow then of Said Malden dec. That Said John Dow her first Husband Served both in the Land and Naval Service in the War of the Revolution, viz. First as a Sergeant in the year 1775. in the eight months Service in Capt Badlam or Bedlows Company of Col Joammi Balduins Reg t and was Stationed at Chelsea while the British were in possession of Boston, and from the first of January in the year 1776 for one year as a Sergeant in Said Capt Badlams Comp y in Col Joammi Balduins Reg t and marched to New York after the evacuation of Boston by the British, and then again in the years 1777 and 1778. in Col James Wepons Reg t of the Massachusetts Line, but how many months he was out in each of those years. She cannot now recollect from loss of memory. She distinctly recollects that Col James Wesson delivered her a State Note for £34. 14. 0 towards the payment for his Services as a Sergeant in Said Reg t . Said Note was dated

October 1 st 1785. — and was delivered to her by Col Wesson after the death of her Husband Said John Dow. — Then again in the year 1779. He Served as Sergeant of Marines on board of the United States Ship Warren of 32 Guns. Commodore Saltonstall and was engaged through the whole of the Penobscot Expedition, and after its failure. He with many others walked home by land. Shortly after which he embarked on board of a United States Vessel for South Carolina and Georgia, and returned home the last of July 1780. — Subsequently in the year 1782. He entered into the Privateer and Merchant Service, during the latter Service he was taken prisoner and carried to Quebec, from thence to New York and confined on board the Jersey prison Ship where he died in the month of February 1783. — the account of which was brought to her by a Fellow prisoner by the name of Russell who soon after his return home also died, She had in her possession many letters from her Husband and other papers all of which were consumed by fire which destroyed her dwelling house, while She was absent in Boston in the month of September 1785 a few days previous to her receiving the before mentioned Note from Col Wesson.
She further declares that She was married to her Husband Said John Dow at Malden by the Rev d Eliakim Willis on the fourth day of July in the year Seventeen hundred and Seventy Nine, and that her Husband Said John Dow died in the month of February Seventeen hundred and Eighty three, while in Captivity, and that She afterwards married John Hancock in the month of May in the Year Seventeen hundred and Eighty six. and Said John Hancock her last Husband died on the twelfth day of May in the

Commonwealth of } Massachusetts - }
Town of Malden } June 2 nd 1837 - }
Town Clerk Officer
I Gilbert Haven hereby certify that I am the Clerk of the town of Malden in the County of Middlesex & Commonwealth of Massachusetts - and that I have the records in custody of the said town, and that it appears by said records that John Dow of Haverhill & Mehitable Sargent of Malden were joined in Marriage by the Rev. Elakin Willis July the 4. 1779 -
Attest Gilbert Haven Town Clerk
Middlesex ss. June 2 nd 1837. Then person ally appeared before me Gilbert Haven the subscriber to the above certificate and made oath to the truth of the same. Before me Charles Lewis Ins t of Peace

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
Middlesex ss.
I, Isaac Dike, Register of the Court of Probate, in and for the county of Middlesex and Commonwealth aforesaid, hereby certify that the Hon. Samuel D. Fay, is the Judge of Probate of the said Court of Probate aforesaid, & that his signatures written on the papers hereto annexed are his genuine signatures.
I further also certify that Charles Lewis Engstrom whose own proper signature is written to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace within said County, duly commissioned & qualified.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed the seal of said Court this third day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty seven.
Isaac Dike

Year Seventeen hundred and ninety eight. And that She has remained a Widow ever since that period as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto annexed
Mehitabel her Hancock mark
Sworn to and Subscribed on the first day and Year last above written, before J. P. P. Fay Probate
I further Certify that the above named Mehitable Hancock, who has Subscribed and Sworn to the foregoing Declaration is unable to appear in Court by reason of age and bodily infirmity J. P. P. Fay Probate
I Isaac Dow of Malden in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts being duly Sworn do on Oath testify and declare that I am in the Fifty Seventh year of my Age, that I am the reputed son and only Child of John Dow formerly of said Malden deceased and Mehitable his Wife and Widow, That my late Father said John Dow was always reputed and believed to have been a Soldier and served in the War of the Revo- lution, and died in Captivity on board the Jersey prison Ship in the Harbour of New York, and left my Mother said Mehitable his Widow, who afterwards married John Hancock, and who also died in the month of May in the year 1798 and left my Mother again a Widow who has not married since the death of said John Hancock and She is still living and resides with me in the Town of Malden aforesaid Isaac Dow
Sworn of Malden aforesaid Isaac Dow Middlesex ss. } Personally appeared Isaac Dow, a credible person, I made June 1 st 1837. } solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him Subscribed before me J. P. P. Fay Probate

I Daniel Pratt of Chelsea in the County of Suffolk and Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the Seventy eighth Year of my Age being duly sworn. Do on Oath testify and declare That I knew John Dorr in the Spring of the Year 1775 and continued to be acquainted with him till near the time of his death which took place as I always understood while a prisoner in New York. Said John Dorr was a soldier in the War of the Revolution and was in the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775. I saw him the day after the Battle in Company with one John Elliot, the latter was dangerously wounded and at that time his clothes were very bloody from his wounds, and I conversed with them both in Company concerning his wounds. Said John Dorr was after that Battle Stationed at Chelsea in Capt. Badlam or Bellows Company of Col Loammi Baldwin's Regt. and He said Dorr continued in the Service and when the British Troops evacuated Boston He marched to New York and as I always understood was in the Battles of White Plains, Princeton and Trenton in New Jersey, and continued in the Service I should judge nearly or quite three years. He was engaged in the Penobscot Expedition soon after his marriage in the Year 1779 on board of a United States Vessel but I do not recollect the Name. He was afterwards taken prisoner while in the Merchant Service and carried to New York where he died as I have always understood and believed.
I am acquainted with Mehitable, the former Wife and Widow of Said John Dorr. She is still living and resides in the adjoining Town of Malden about one mile from my residence. She has since Married to John Hancock who has been dead near forty years, and she still

She continues the Widow of said John Hancock dec d .
Suffolk ss. Chelsea June 8. 1837.
Personally appeared Daniel Pratt a credible person Amade solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed Before me J. P. O. Fay Justice of the Peace for all the Counties in the Commonwealth
I Nathan Nichols of Malden in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Seventy two years of age being duly sworn do on Oath testify and declare That I was formerly acquainted with John Dow late of said Malden dec d . He served in the War of the Revolution, I distinctly recollect his being stationed at Chelsea in the fore part of said War and I frequently saw him in his Regimental Drills and remember his wearing the badge of a Non Commissioned Officer on his shoulder, but under what Officer he served or for what period I do not now recollect, Subsequently he was engaged to be married to Mehitable Sargent one of my Neighbours of this Town, but was unable to attend at the time appointed being as he stated afterwards, detained on duty as Sergeant of Marines on board of a Vessel of War then in Boston Harbour, His Marriage was shortly after solemnized by the Rev Eliahim Willis to said Mehitable Sargent. It was always reported and believed that said John Dow was made prisoner by the Enemy and carried to New York where he died on board of a prison Ship, His Widow said Mehitable subsequently married John Hancock of Malden who died

near Forty years ago And left Said Mehitable again to Widow, And she has not married since the death of her Husband Said John Hancock, and she is still living and resides near me in Said Town of Malden.
Nathan Nichols
Middlesex ss: Malden June 1 st 1837. Personally appeared Nathan Nichols a credible person & made solemn oath to the truth of the foregoing deposition by him subscribed before me J. P. P. Fry W. Pease

Mrs Mehitable Hancock formerly widow of John Dow dec.

I, Isaac Dow of Malden in the County of Middlesex and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, aged Sixty-one years. Being sworn, do on Oath testify and say that I am the reputed son and only child of John and Mehitable Dow, late of said Malden, both deceased. And that my late Father John Dow aforesaid served his country faithfully and honourably upwards of five years, viz. from the year 1775 untill some time in July of the year 1780. I have always understood from the Uniform declarations of my late Mother said Mehitable, and from various aged Individuals of my acquaintance, most  all of whom are now dead that John Dow my late Father was in most of the Battles from the Lexington alarm in the Spring of 1775 untill late in the year 1779, including the Battle on Bunker Hill, at White Plains Trenton & Princetown, also while He was in Col. James Wilson's Regiment was in The Battle of.
I have always understood from the mouth of my late mother that, said John Dow formed an acquaintance with her while the Troops were stationed at Chelsea in the year 1775, and that after the the Troops marched away to New York in the year following said John occasionally addressed letters to her said Mehitable. That their correspondence was continued untill some time in the summer of 1779, when the said John Dow came to Malden on a Furlough, which Furlough was obtained thro' the intercession of Colonel Wilson, and soon thereafter was published, and on the Fourth of July following was lawfully married to said Mehitable, which was in the year 1779. After said John Dow's marriage as aforesaid He obtained the consent of his Officers and an Order from the commanding Officer of the Boston Station authorising him the said John Dow to enter as Sergeant of Marines onboard

of Commodore Saltonstall U.S. Ship - the Warren In which Ship said John Dow sailed to the Penobscot - in the Penobscot expedition, so called, and after his return said John again shipped on board of one of a Fleet destined for South Carolina and was taken prisoner when Genl Lincoln surrendered the army & Navy to the Enemy at Charleston, in 1880 and after his return home said John engaged in the merchant service and was captured & carried to Quebec, thence to New York and put on board of the Jersey Prison Ship where he died as was always reported & believed, and never contradicted, by any person to my knowledge. His death occurred as I understood in Feby 1782. My late Mother said Me- -hitable subsequently married John Hancock, who became administrator of the estate of my late Father, John Dow said aforesaid, said John Hancock was accidentally killed when I was Eighteen years old, while engaged in the manual exercise of a man by the name of Wright My late Mother said Mehitable departed this life on the fifth day of October Eighteen hundred and thirty seven.
I further testify and say that according to the best information I have been able to collect from my late mother, during her lifetime, and from the traditional testimony of sundry individuals, that the reasons of said John Dow's leaving the  was the army be- -ore his time of service had expired, was thro' the especial favour of his Officers, in consideration of his long and faithful services, and as his last term of service, of three years had nearly expired, He was permitted to come home to be married as above stated.
and for the details of his service thro' the whole period of the Revolutionary War to the latter part of the year 1789 I refer to the annexed Documents accompanying this affidavit.
Isaac Dow

Commonwealth of Massachusetts Suffolk ss. City of Boston November 6. 1841-
Then personally appeared the said Isaac Dow and made solemn oath that the foregoing affidavit by him subscribed is true before me
Ninian C. Betton Justice of the Peace
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office Boston November 6. 1841.
I hereby certify that the above named Ninian C. Betton is a justice of the Peace for the County of Suffolk in the said Commonwealth, duly constituted and appointed;
In testimony whereof I have caused the seal of the Commonwealth to be affixed to the date above named.
John D. Sleeper
Secy of
the Commonwealth

This Bureau can furnish the military record of only such Revolutionary soldiers as were pensioned or whose widows were pensioned for their services.
Such of the original muster and pay rolls of the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 as are now in the possession of the Government are on file in the Record and Pension Office, War Department. Original rolls and other records pertaining to service in the Revolutionary War may also be found on file in the archives of many of the original States.
L. W. B. W. 14846.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
WASHINGTON, D. C.,
O. W. & N. DIV.
REVOLUTIONARY.
August 31st, 1897.
Sir:-
Replying to your request for information concerning John Dow, a soldier of the Revolutionary war, you are advised that Mehitable Hancock, former widow of one John Dow , made an application for pension on June 1st, 1837, at which time she was 83 years of age and residing at Malden, Mass., and her pension was allowed for the actual service of her husband as a sergeant in the Mass. troops, Revolutionary war, for a period of two years; a part of the time he served under Capt. B rown and Col. Baldwin. Place of his enlistment not stated.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner.
Mr. F. A. Dow,
1366 - 10th Ave.,
East Oakland, California.

Dad
DOW, JOHN (MASS) W-14846

I do certify that on a final settlement of acc. with the United States there was due to John Dow late Sergeant of Marines the sum of forty two Dollars and thirty four cents, which sum I paid to Mr. John Hancock administrator to said Dow
Boston June 30th 1792
Peter Green Attorney to J. Hancock
Isaac Dow Malden

norm
Tacoma Washington Aug. 2 nd /97
Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C.
D
Dear Sir
Will you kindly give me what information you can, of the record of my grandfather John Dow , a soldier of the Revolution .
At the time of his death in Gilmanston N.H. he drew a pension from the Government, for services rendered during the Revolution .
If I mistake not, his pension was paid to him at Meredith N.H. , although he resided in Gilmanston .
The Record and Pension office, give me the following information. John Dow, served in Capt. John Woody's Co., raised in Colonel Bages's 2 nd part of Colonel Stickney's Reg. Revolutionary war. His name appears on a pay roll of that organization, dated at Gilmanston Sept 25 th 1776.
Trusting you will give this your earliest attention
I remain
Please address 1366- 10 th Avenue East Oakland Cal.
Yours Respectfully F. A. Dow

tory to 1366 — Oakland Calif.
Rev WIDOW, &c.
Aug. 31/97 - His Mt. F. A. Dow 10 th Av. East O
No. 14846
Mehitable Hancock
Widow of
John Dow
Sergt Rev War
Act: July 4 th 86
Index: — Vol. 2 , Page 315
[Arrangement of 1870.]

Jan 28. 1842.
Dr. Bump
James L. Edwards Esq. Commr of Pensions Washington
[Handwritten signature]

Boston, Massachusetts.
January 15 th 1842.
Sir
I have been looking for Mrs Mehitabel Hancock's Pension Certificate, for some 8 or ten days past, but as yet none has come to hand.
This case you will recollect was admitted during my stay at Washington, but the Certificate was withheld, awaiting a Court Certificate, shewing the time of the death of said Mehitabel, and the names of her Children; The Certificate in question was forwarded in my letter of the 28 th Ultimo.
Be pleased to give your attention to the above case as soon as convenient: (Under act 4 th July 1836)
Very Respectfully Sir I am your O bt Servant
James L. Edwards Esq e Comm r of Pensions Washington
Reuben Baldwin

July 31.
Michael Hanchett Snj.
James L. Edwards Esq. Com d of Peninsular Washington.

Sir
Boston Massachusetts July 27th 1837.
I respectfully invite the attention of the Department to the case of the claim of Mrs Mehitable Hancock, formerly the Widow of John Dour, as referred to in your letter of the 13th inst. in which it is stated that said John Dour, deserted from Col Wesson's Reg t in Dec r 1779. in consequence of which, "The said claim has been rejected,"
There were other terms of alleged Service of which no mention is made in your letter, which it is believed are not forfeited by his Desertion, to wit: in 1775 and 1776. in Col Joammi Baldwin's Reg t part of the time in Capt Badlam's Compy, as these were separate tours of Service and not included in his three years engagement, I would respectfully ask whether his subsequent desertion will exclude the Widow from the benefit of his prior Service, especially as he performed other Service after his alleged Desertion, and after his Marriage. - It appears that Dour came home on furlough and was married early in July 1779. And instead of returning to the Army he was induced to enter on board the Ship Warren as Sergeant of Marines in the Penobscot expedition then fitting out in his native State. The delivery of the State Note by Col Wesson to his Widow together with the Receipt for the Amount.

of his pay as Sergeant of Marines would seem to exclude the idea of his Desertion and particularly at so late a period as Decem r 1779, He was engaged after this, in the Naval Service of the United States at the South, of which no particular details were given in the Widows Declaration, believing that his previous Service was amply sufficient to entitle her to a pension, as no suspicion was entertained of his Desertion until the receipt of your letter of the 13 th inst
I respectfully solicit in behalf of an aged Widows, a reconsideration of this case,
I am very Respectfully, Sir Your Obedt Servt,
Reuben Baldwin
James L Edwards Esq Comm r of Pensions Washington

Mehitable Hancock wid of M c Dow du Map.
Rejected. L. H. H. R Baldwin July 13 1837
(Resented) do. to same July 31. 1837 to do. Aug. 28. 1839 to do. Dec. 13. 1841.
Ad. 4 July 1837

James L. Edwards Esq. Commissioner of Pensions Washington

Boston, Mass s December 28 th 1841
Sir
I herein enclose a Court Certificate in the case of Mehitable Hancock, formerly widow of John Low deceased; showing the time of her death and the name of her only child. This case was presented under the Act 4 th July 1836 & 3 rd March 1837.
If the proof should be deemed satisfactory, be pleased to issue a certificate & and forward the same to me at this place
Very Respectfully Sir I am Your Obedient Servant
Reuben Baldwin
James L. Edwards Esq. Comm d rs Washington.
P. S. I presume that the Department will allow the widow of John Low Sergeants pay, including his service in the Navy, as Sergeant of Marines &c

Augt. 3 Mass.
add. proof
McIntire Hancock
J
James I. Edwards Esq. Comm d off. customs Washington
18

Sir
Boston Massachusetts
I respectfully solicit your attention to the case of Mrs. M rs Mehitable Hancock, formerly Wife of John Dow, replied to in your letters dated July 13 & 31, 1837, in which you State that said Dow deserted from the Service, and the claim is therefore rejected. It is evident there must be an error in this return of desertion, as the enclosed certificate of the Secretary of the Com m onwealth shows a service of thirty five months, and his account for that term vouched by Col Wesson, (in whose Reg t he served) 6 Sept r 1784. —
It can not be supposed that an officer of Col Wesson's rank and known character would have certified to a service, recognized in the Town of the Soldier's residence if there had been desertion from the Service, and that the State would admit and pay for the service and that too after the termination of the Revolutionary War, when all the facts must have been known, — John Dow continued in

the service of the United States from the time he was detached as Sergeant of Marines on board the Frigate Warren in the Penciloot expedition until the surrender of Army and Navy by Genl. Lincoln at S c Carolina.
It is hoped that on a further exam- ination of this case in connection with the testimony herein forwarded, this claim will be admitted.
I am very respectfully Your Obs t
Reuben Baldwin
J. L. Edwards Esq Court of Claims Washington

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, July 19 th 1839.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that John Dow of Haverhill served as a Sergeant in the Second Company Col. Wesson's Regiment from February 1. 1777 - to December 31 1779 - Thirty five months - viz:
" 16 months at 48/ 38. 8 19 months at 60/ 57. - 95. 8. -"
and his account is certified as follows - "Ex d F.W. Cert d 6 th Sept. 1784".
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John P. Bigelow
Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Ad s Dec r 1 79 V d 10 p 274 '78

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Midddlessex County ss: I do hereby certify that satisfactory evidence has been adduced to me to prove, that Isaac Dow, of Malden in said County, is the only child & sole heir at law of Mehitable Hancock late of said Malden widow, deceased. That said Mehitable died at said Malden on the fifth day of October in the year eighteen hundred & thirty seven & that she was at that time an applicant to the Government of the United States for a pension as the widow of John Dow, her first husband, for his services in the army & navy during the revolutionary war. and that said Isaac Dow is of full age.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 27 th day of December A.D. eighteen hundred & forty one
J. A. Day judge of Probate for said County.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, November 8 1841.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of John Dow is borne on a Roll of Capt. James Sawyer's Company, in Col. James Fry's Regt. as a Private from Haverhill. The Roll is not dated, but is supposed to be one of the October Returns of the eight months Service in 1775, as it was found filed with them. The Name of John Dow is also found in an order from Capt. Sawyer's Company to the Committee in Clothing, dated Cambridge 26 th Dec r . 1775. The Name of John Dow also appears on the Pay abstracts of Capt. Ezra Badlam's Company in Colonel Seamus Baldwin's Regiment for the Months of January, to the Month of June 1776. inclusive. No Roll of Capt. Badlam's Company of a later date than June 1776 can be found, but it appears that Colonel Baldwin's Regiment continued in Service til' the end of that Year.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John C. Didgeon Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Secretary's Office, 1 August 6 th 1841.
I hereby Certify, That, from an examination of the Books and Documents, relating to Military Services in the War of the Revolution, which remain in this Department, it appears that the Name of John Dow is borne on an Army Account in the Army books as a Sergeant from Haverhill in — Second Company, Colonel Wesson's Regiment, and is there credited by his Services from February 1 st 1777, to December 31 st 1779 — 16 Months at 48/ — £38. 8 } The account is examined and Certificate 6 th September 1784, and nothing indicating desertion appears on it — 19. " " 60/ — 57. — £ 95. 8. The Name of John Dow is found in an Account book of Treasurer Houdon, Ives & Davis, as follows, "John Dow late a Sergeant in Wesson's Regt. £ 6. 16. 4 — October 31 st 1784". In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto affixed the Seal of the Commonwealth, the date above written.
John D. Sleeper Secretary of the Commonwealth.